Off-field issues no excuse for Falcons - Diamond

Newcastle last won a Premiership away game in November 2022

Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Diamond will not allow off-field uncertainties to excuse any poor performances in the run-in of the Premiership season.

The Falcons are searching for fresh investment to assure the league of their financial ability to get through the 2025-26 season.

They are bottom of the table, seven points adrift of Exeter Chiefs, whom they play in Devon on Saturday.

"We've all got to remain professional and go out and do our jobs," said consultant director of rugby Diamond.

"What I won't allow is the staff or players to make this an excuse."

Diamond admits he was unhappy with his side in light of their 39-15 defeat by Sale Sharks on Friday as the Premiership resumed following the Six Nations.

But while uncertainty hangs over Kingston Park with the club up for sale, the former Sale and Worcester Warriors boss is calling on his squad to maintain their own standards.

He describes Saturday's game with Exeter as "massive", knowing that losing to the Chiefs would almost certainly condemn Newcastle to finishing bottom for a third straight season.

"There are two ways of looking at this - you are either going to stay at Newcastle when future investment comes or you've got to put yourself in the show window," said Diamond.

"I'm in that boat as well.

"So we're not just going to [give in] these next six games, we are going to try to be highly competitive."

Until a new owner is found to replace current incumbent Semore Kurdi, worries will abound that Newcastle will go the same way as folded trio Worcester, Wasps and London Irish.

Having been at Sixways in their dying days, Diamond insists the situation in the north east is not as dire as that, as they await positive news.

"I'm not kidding myself here, but we've got a good bunch of players who actually care about what's going on," he said.

"There are no smoke and mirrors, I am telling them what the situation is, I wouldn't give false promises.

"But we are in the same boat, we're in it together, so what we have to do is remain really tight and hope for the best."